Windows Live Messenger History
The program Windows Live Messenger is a new version of the MSN Messenger program. The program first saw the light in winter 2005.
The history of Windows Live Messenger is conditioned by the appearance of the first beta version – 8.0. The distinguishing feature of the version was the errors that appeared while sending messages to an offline user. There was also only one background colour – orange, and one couldn't change it into another.
Having worked for only a month, the developers returned the program for improvement; however, the program attracted the attention of users at once, since it had the whole list of useful features and applications.
In a year, in February 2006 the second beta version of the program appeared. The previous errors have been fixed in this version. The Windows Live contacts list appeared for the first time, as well as the ability to send single files. There also appeared the feature to change the colour of the program window, as well as other updates.
The third beta version was released in spring 2006 and was practically the final one. The number of colour variations greatly increased. There appeared the feature to make calls from your computer on a fixed
location phone, the look of the main window was updated, and there appeared new icons on the desktop and in the program. It became possible to change sound signals of the program according to your wish.
The final version 8.0 appeared in summer 2006; however, there were no visual differences between it and the beta-3 version.
Nevertheless, in the end of summer (August) the updates for the version 8.0 were released. Some errors were fixed and there appeared changes dealing with video and audio.
The version 8.1 First beta appeared in autumn 2006. A number of local updates could be found there:
- roaming feature appeared. The meaning of this feature is that your icon and user name will be displayed on any computer from which you've entered the client;
- the phone book for sending SMS and the feature of sending text messages to the chosen user, as well as editing his contact information, was added to the main menu;
- updated program menu, icons, background and interface in general;
- feature of reporting on error appeared.
The updated beta 1 was released right in a year (in 2006) after the first advent of Windows Live Messenger, namely, December 13. Here they fixed global error that prevented the users to enter and observe the contacts list.
With the lapse of time the program has been gradually updated. The version 8.5 appeared in 2008 together with other Windows Live components. In this version a lot of errors were fixed and a new design appeared.
The next version 9.0 was released in 2009, but then the name was changed into 14.0 by analogy with the new version of Microsoft Office. The interface of the new version is similar to Windows 7; it gained the feature of pictures support as the splash screen. And it's very easy to do this: simply by dragging a picture directly to the program window. You can also create the group "Favourite" for particular contacts and change the icons of the contacts. The feature of sending information to the offline contact has been removed, as well as some statuses and the ability to change the webcam settings during a conversation etc.
This year the new version 15.0 appeared. It has the feature of making calls on a phone using the computer. This version supports other protocols and has the feature of sending messages to a contact even if he is offline. The user can read the message as soon as he is online. There appeared various games and applications that you can play with your friends. The feature of searching in the contact list was added.
Unlike previous versions, in the latest one the protocol isn't closed completely that allows detached developers add their applications or add-ins, thus, making the program even more convenient for the user.
